This Crown Roast of Pork recipe will wow your holiday guests! Make this beautiful Pork Crown Roast with Whiskey Glaze for Christmas, Easter, or any special occasion. It will be the star of the holiday table!

crown roast of pork resting on a cooling rack

Crown Roast of Pork Recipe

If you’re looking for the perfect main dish for an amazing holiday feast, then this Crown Roast Pork Recipe is for you!

Skip the typical turkey and hams this year, and make this pork dish to really wow your guests instead. It looks absolutely beautiful at the center of the table, and it will elevate your Christmas dinner. 

My favorite part of this pork crown roast is the delicious whiskey glaze. We brush it onto the meat during the roasting process, then make extra to serve with it. It just adds the best flavor!

This recipe does take quite a while to prepare and roast, so plan ahead. I love this recipe for Easter too, or any occasion that deserves something extra special.

close up on pork roast

close up on the crown roast

What cut is a crown pork roast?

Pork crown roast is actually 2 bone-in pork loin roasts. The rib bones have been frenched and the chine bones removed. The two roasts are then tied into a crown shape.

It isn’t an easy task and the best thing to do is to ask your butcher (about 2 days ahead) to form the crown roast for you.

Whiskey Glaze for Pork

I’m obsessed with this whiskey glaze. Slather it in while it roasts, while it rests, and save some for serving! It adds so much flavor and moisture to the meat.

Glaze Ingredients:

  • Chicken Broth
  • Dijon Mustard
  • Worcestershire Sauce
  • Whiskey
  • Minced Garlic
  • Ginger (paste or ground)
  • Honey
  • Apple Cider (or apple juice)
  • Kosher Salt
  • Unsalted Butter

close up on pork roast on wire rack

pork roast lying on a baking pan with a carving knife

tray of pork chops

How to Make Pork Crown Roast

This definitely isn’t one of those last-minute, throw a meal together, kind of dishes. It takes time to prepare and cook, but it is well worth the effort! That’s why I save this for holidays, because it adds something special to the table.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

  • Instead of trying to form the crown roast yourself, ask your butcher to do it for you.
  • Plan ahead! The roast needs to sit at least 6 hours before cooking, so it is best to prepare and let it rest overnight in the fridge.
  • A good serving size is about 1 1/2 to 2 chops per person. A 7-9 pound roast will make 14-18 chops.
  • Internal temperature of pork should reach 140°F. Use an instant read thermometer to check the temp.
  • After roasting, tent with foil to rest for 20-30 minutes.

How do you cut a crown pork roast?

Each rib bone will become its own chop, so use those as your guide. Use a carving knife to cut between bones.

serving tray of pork

close up on cuts of pork crown roast

Holiday Dinner Ideas

This pork crown roast is such a wonderful main dish for Christmas dinner. It will add that special touch to create a delicious feast that everyone will love. 

Holiday meals are such a special time with friends and family, so taking the time to cook a dish like this just shows so much love. Christmas dinner only comes around once a year, so (usually) I’m willing to spend that extra time in the kitchen to prepare something like this.

Side Dishes to Serve with this Pork Roast

If we’re talking about a holiday feast, then we can’t forget about the side dishes. I have a huge list of my best Christmas sides and Thanksgiving side dishes, and any of those will due. But here are my favorites to pair with this roast.

close up on seasoned pork

Make this beautiful roast for the perfect holiday meal and everyone will be amazed. Happy Holidays!

See the recipe card for details on how to make pork crown roast. Enjoy!

 

Looking for other holiday dinner ideas? Try these other main dish options:

Recipe Card

Pork Crown Roast with Whiskey Glaze

4.58 from 33 votes
Prep: 30 minutes
Cook: 2 hours
Rest: 6 hours
Total: 8 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 10 people
Author: Becky Hardin
pork crown roast on a wire cooling rack
This Crown Roast of Pork is a beautiful main dish for Christmas and holiday dinner!
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Ingredients 

For the Roast:

  • 7-9 pounds (1 roast) crown roast of pork (14-18 chops)
  • 3 tablespoons Kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
  • Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

For the Glaze:

  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • ½ cup whiskey
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 2 teaspoon ginger paste or 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼-½ cup honey
  • ½ cup apple cider or apple juice
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Instructions 

For the Roast:

  • Combine salt & pepper in a small bowl. Pat the roast dry with paper towels and rub with the salt/pepper mixture. Wrap kitchen twine twice around the widest part of the roast and tie it tightly. Refrigerate the roast, uncovered, at least 6 hours and up to 24 hours.
  • When ready to cook, remove the roast from the fridge 30-60 minutes before cooking. Set oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray a metal baking rack with nonstick spray. Set the rack over the baking sheet.
  • Transfer the roast to the metal rack and brush with 4 tablespoons butter.
  • Roast the meat until the internal temperature registers 110°F on an instant-read food thermometer, about 1 hour.
  • While the roast cooks, prepare the glaze (see below).
  • Once the internal temperature of the roast registers 110°F remove the roast from the oven, and reduce the oven temperature to 325°F. Brush the entire roast with the glaze. Return the roast to the oven and cook, basting every 15 minutes with the glaze, until the internal temperature registers 140°F-145°F on the thermometer, about 1 hour. (Start checking the temperature of the roast after 45 minutes.).
  • Transfer the roast to a carving board and brush with the glaze. Tent the roast loosely with sprayed foil. Allow the roast to rest 20-30 minutes before slicing.
  • A few minutes before serving, reheat the glaze (on the stovetop or in the microwave).
  • Remove the twine from the roast and slice it between the bones. Transfer meat to a serving platter and drizzle with extra glaze.

Directions for the Glaze:

  • Combine all glaze ingredients except the butter in a medium saucepan. Set the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Lower the temperature to low and simmer until reduced by a third and thickened. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter until smooth. Begin brushing the glaze over the roast after the first hour of cooking (and after the oven temperature has been reduced to 325°F).

Becky's Tips

  • Crown Roast of Pork is 2 bone-in pork loin roasts. The rib bones have been frenched and the chine bones removed. The two roasts are then tied into a crown shape. It isn’t an easy task and the best thing to do is to ask your butcher (about 2 days ahead) to form the crown roast for you. Plan on 1½ chops per person or 2 chops per person if leftovers are desired.
  • Plan on prepping the roast the day before serving. The roast needs to sit at least 6 hours before cooking, so it is best to prepare and let it rest overnight in the fridge.
Calories: 535kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 43gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 137mgSodium: 2552mgPotassium: 794mgFiber: 1gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 200IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 67mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.58 from 33 votes (29 ratings without comment)
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18 Comments
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Michele
Michele
November 26, 2024 7:46 am

How do you make gravy from the drippings?

Samantha Marceau
November 26, 2024 8:06 am
Reply to  Michele

Hi Michele, try this recipe (click here!)

Michele
Michele
November 26, 2024 8:29 am

Thank you!!!

Linda
Linda
January 28, 2023 12:00 am

Just want to say sorry for the typos I was talking to Siri for some reason she doesn’t understand half of what I said, and I didn’t check it out before I sent

Linda
Linda
January 27, 2023 11:57 pm

Just saw this recipe when you say whiskey what type of what’s going on we talking about no is it scotch? Is it rye is a bourbon does it matter?& do you ever make gravy from the drippings of your pork roast? I think the drippings from the pork roast make the most fabulous gravy there is so I can give us a shot as soon as I’m having a gathering and I’m going to try to make some gravy with the two aside from the whiskey. Glaze I’m sure they will just add a nice cake to it. Thanks for the recipe and what do you think about stuffing this just want your opinion really

Samantha Marceau
January 30, 2023 10:10 am
Reply to  Linda

You can use any kind of whiskey you like! You could totally cook down the drippings into a gravy if you’d like. We have a few stuffing recipes, and we think stuffing would be great with this dish! Try this recipe (click here)!

Linda
Linda
January 27, 2023 11:53 pm

Looks4 stars

Dawn
Dawn
January 10, 2021 9:16 pm

when do you add the one TBS butter to the glaze?

Joan
Joan
December 25, 2020 1:25 pm

When do you put the tablespoon of butter in glaze that is listed in ingredients?

Michelle
Michelle
December 23, 2020 10:05 am

I’m planning to make this for Christmas! However my 18 rib crown roast is 15 lbs! Can you give me any thoughts on how much that will affect the cooking time? Thanks!

ROSEANN
ROSEANN
April 7, 2020 1:03 pm

WHAT TEMPERATURE DO YOU LOPWER THE OVEN TO?

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
April 9, 2020 12:44 pm
Reply to  ROSEANN

300 degrees! Sorry, I’ll have to edit that!

Kristyn
Kristyn
December 16, 2019 11:54 am

So flavorful!! Love all the seasonings. The meat is so tender. This is a crowd pleaser meal for sure!5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
December 17, 2019 3:10 pm
Reply to  Kristyn

I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!

Matt Taylor
Matt Taylor
December 16, 2019 11:53 am

Two words I love, pork and roast! This recipe looks fantastic! Thank you for sharing. :)5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
December 17, 2019 3:11 pm
Reply to  Matt Taylor

I can’t wait for you to try it!